Foreign rescuers battle for lives in quake-hit Shifang

SHIFANG, Sichuan 17 (Xinhua) -- Foreign rescue teams have joined the front line in the battle to free those trapped after Monday's devastating earthquake in southwest China.

A member of a rescue team from Singapore searches  for survivors in the quake-hit Hongbai Town of  Shifang City in southwest China's Sichuan Province,  May 17, 2008. The team of 55 members from Singapore  started their rescue mission in the serious devastated  Hongbai Town on Saturday.(Xinhua/Jiang Fan)

A 55-member rescue team from Singapore on Saturday morning reached Hongbai town, one of the worst-hit areas in Shifang City, Sichuan Province, to assist rescue efforts.

The team arrived in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan, at 7:40 p. m. Friday and reached Shifang city late the same day.

The team spokesman said they were experienced and had brought advanced equipment, four sniffer dogs, plus 14 days of survival supplies.

Meanwhile, the second group of 29 Japanese earthquake rescuers joined their colleagues in Beichuan County, one of the worst hit areas in Sichuan Province, to continue rescue operations.

The first group of 31 well-equipped Japanese rescuers arrived at Qingchuan Friday afternoon before leaving for Beichuan.

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